Twitter war: 'JTHJ' vs ‘SoS’, and the winner is... Rakhi Sawant

Published Monday, November 12, 2012

By Bindu Suresh Rai

Could over exposure and media fatigue be the reason why two of the biggest Bollywood films of the year fail to trend on Twitter on the eve of their global release, while an ‘item girl’ takes centrestage?

Such appears to be the hilarious and the somewhat anticlimactic outcome for the Diwali box office clash between two of Bollywood’s biggest releases of the year, with “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” (JTHJ) and “Son of Sardar” (SOS) going head-to-head on November 13.

Despite the lead stars of both films indulging in a massive promotional and media blitzkrieg, stealing their thunder is controversy queen Rakhi Sawant, who gyrated her way to the top of the Twitter trend charts, and comfortably settled in at the second position, while the king Shah Rukh Khan was kicked off his throne to make do at number seven.

As for Ajay Devgn, it seems Twitterverse has simply had enough of the actor, who has been in the centre of a legal tussle that has seen his production house take on Yash Raj Films or YRF for ‘armtwisting’ single screen distributors to showcase “JTHJ” over “SOS” across India.

Why else would neither Devgn nor his film, “SOS”, feature nowhere in the trends list?

Politics of entertainment

“Rakhi’s entry to the top of the Twitter charts is a cry from audience that they’ve simply had enough of this Bollywood box office clash drama,” said Dubai-based Arjun Kukkar. “I don’t plan to watch either of the two films because I’ve stopped caring.”

Sawant is in the news for unlikely political reasons, with India’s Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh on Sunday comparing activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal with the small time actress, saying that they both try and expose, but without any substance.

Singh had tweeted: “Arvind Kejriwal is like Rakhi Sawant . They both try and expose but with no substance.”

Sawant, who is currently in talks to file a lawsuit against Singh, became the butt of online jokes and catapulted to the top of the charts, bringing humour to the murky waters that have divided Bollywood in an ugly legal war.

JTHJ vs SOS: And the winner is…

Meanwhile, the online war between the two Bollywood multi-starrers is heating up as Devgn’s argument that YRF is using its dominant position in the market to showcase “JTHJ” over “SOS” gains supporters with screen numbers being announced by trade.

Box Office Capsule tweeted earlier: “Shocking for ‘SOS’ final count is almost out. ‘JTJH’ might release in 2800-3000 screens opposite 1300 screens of ‘SOS’”

In response, fan Kruti Shah tweeted: “And if these numbers are correct, Ajay Devgn is certainly fighting the good fight. We should all go and watch ‘SOS’ in support of the underdog.”

Madhavan Narayanan ‏said: “‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ is a 100-crore movie. ‘Son of Sardar’ is a million-crore movie.”

Yakuza ‏tweeted: “From last night screening of ‘Son Of Sardar’ I got feedback this is ‘Gaddar’ of 2012. Climax will blow your mind and action is mind boggling.”

Meanwhile, the Being Salman Khan FC asked for support from all Salman Khan fans.

It said: “Salman’s open challenge to Shah Rukh. Support Salman and do watch ‘SOS’.”

However, the sympathy wave following the untimely demise of “JTHJ” director Yash Chopra has seen the film certainly gain in the competitive stakes, both on and offline, which even prompted its lead actor to thank fans.

Shah Rukh Khan himself tweeted out: “Very touchıng how all of you are buying tickets for ‘JTJH’ and excited about it. It makes me feel very wanted and positively proud. Thanks all.”

Fan Jasleen Kalra wrote: “‘SOS’ giving tough competition in Delhi? No. See the status of the first day first show at theatre near my home. ‘JTHJ’ way ahead and sold out. Poor Ajay.”

Trade analyst and critic Komal Nahta said: “Hold your breaths, all you Shah Rukh, Anushka and Katrina fans. An insider, who has seen ‘JTHJ’ has loved it. Says it will be huge at the box office.”

While on huge, even Asia’s biggest IMAX screen is in on the game, with Meydan IMAX Theatre in Dubai tweeting: “Only two days left until ‘JTHJ’. Hurry and book your seats now.”

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh said: “Talking strictly in terms of ticket sales, advance booking of ‘JTHJ’ better than ‘SOS’. However, both films carrying excellent reports.”

And there are others like Jay Hind who refuse to take sides, saying: “‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ vs ‘Son Of Sardar’: It’s like choosing between Bihar and Orissa for your dream honeymoon trip.”

All shall be revealed in the next few days as the box office numbers trickle in. Until then, this promises to be a cracker of a Diwali in Bollywood.